Lots of distress is not good for anybody, and for cats coming to the vet, it can be incredibly overwhelming. Cats don’t handle changes very well, and we change their entire world when we stuff them into a carrier, make them ride in the car, and bring them into a building filled with odd noises and unfamiliar smells. Luckily, there are ways to help your cat be less upset at the vet.
Feliway, a synthetic copy of a feline pheromone, is a product that comes in a spray or a plug-in. I have seen the success of Feliway in my own home. I moved into a new apartment with my 2 cats, which were both formerly feral kittens. They were so upset by the move that they hid for days and didn’t eat. I tried putting a big box in the living room and moving them there, which of course didn’t work. I thought rubbing catnip in the carpet would help, but that just gave me a bunch of mess in the carpet that I had to vacuum. When a cat isn’t eating, you can’t coax it with food, so that was a no go. Finally, I thought I’d give the Feliway plug-in a try. Within days, Chester and Fievel were acting more comfortable with their surroundings and even coming out for attention. I didn’t think it was possible to use a scent to make them more comfortable, and I didn’t smell anything different. You can use the Feliway spray inside your cat’s carrier about 30 minutes prior to putting him in there.
Cats are not allowed out of their carrier in our waiting room, and you definitely don’t want to take a fearful cat out of the carrier. Sitting in your arms outside the carrier makes him feel less safe than being inside the carrier. Drape a towel over the carrier to block out sights, which can overwhelm him. Speak in a low, soft voice. Also, if unknown people, especially children, want to look at the cat, tell them that the cat is afraid and it’s best to let him rest or something along those lines. Fingers sticking into a cage might push a fearful cat over the edge to biting!
In the exam room, put the carrier on the floor and open the door. Let the cat explore on his own-don’t drag any cat out of a carrier. Our doctors have examined plenty of cats in a carrier that has a removable top, on the floor, or in the pet scale. If the cat comes out of the carrier on his own, let him walk around slowly by himself. If he jumps on your lap, he wants to be held by you, but if he is struggling to get away, it’s best to let go. The cat’s body language is telling you the best thing to do. We’ll do what we can to have as few door opening & closings while you’re in the exam room, and take blood samples in the exam room if you are comfortable with it. We may put a towel over the pet’s eyes. Towels are surprisingly effective in preventing cats from getting upset.
If your cat has extreme anxiety when coming in, such as aggression or eliminating waste uncontrollably, call us and the veterinarian may prescribe a medication. Call at least 3 days before your appointment, as some medications may require a few days of dosing to work properly.
When a hospitalized cat is fearful, we provide cardboard boxes, brown paper bags, and blankets for him to hide in. Most cats usually take advantage of the hiding spot.
If you need any other guidance on cat behavior, definitely give us a call. We want cats to be as comfortable as possible when they come in to see us.
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